The official website for Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump magazine revealed on Tuesday that an hour-long crossover television anime special between Toriko, One Piece, and Dragon Ball Z will air on Sunday, April 7 at 9:00 a.m. The "Dream 9 Toriko & One Piece & Dragon Ball Z Chō Collaboration Special!!" will air in two parts: the first part will be titled "Hashire Saikyō Gundan! Toriko to Luffy to Goku!" (Run, Strongest Army! Toriko, Luffy, Goku!), and the second part will be titled: "Shijō Saikyō Collaboration vs. Umi no Taishokukan" (History's Strongest Collaboration vs. Glutton of the Sea).

Toriko and One Piece have already been featured in two crossover specials in April 2011 and April 2012. The third special will commemorate the start of the third year of the Toriko anime, which premiered in April 2011. Toriko and One Piece share Fuji TV's "Dream 9" programming block that begins on Sundays at 9:00 a.m.

Fuji TV's Toriko producer Arisu Takagi teased various possibilities for the upcoming special, such as if Zoro, Zebra, and Vegeta fought, or if Sanji and Komatsu had a cooking match, or if Chopper witnessed Goten and Trunks' fusion. Takagi adds that this time they will "cram it all in." Takagi said that Mr. Satan will also be included in the special, as well as gag scenes, and a battle scene where Toriko, Luffy, and Goku all team up together.